Banks' 6 Month Pictures

I just got Banks' 6 month pictures this week. Barbara Harbin took them and hand tinted them. I just love how they turned out. It was hard to find a spot for all 3 of them and I am still might move them around again, but I wanted to share.

I know it is difficult to look at a photo of a photo, but I hope you can see some of the details.

Crawling, Planking, and Pulling Up

Banks still loves to plank. His new favorite spot to work on his abs of steel is this end table in our bedroom.

He is also crawling EVERYWHERE! He has picked up his speed the last few days.

Go Banks!

And he is trying to pull up on everything......especially drawer pulls.

More to come later.

OREO Ice Cream Dessert

Disclaimer: This recipe is easy, delicious, and addictive. Add it to your files.

This is one of the easiest desserts in the book and my Mom made it for Leigh Anne and Me in the summer all the time. We always called it "Oreo Ice Cream" There are many variations you can do (see bottom of the post) and they are all very good.

You will need:

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream

1 package original OREO

1 package Cool Whip

2 Oreo Pie Crusts (optional)

Note: You may notice I use name brand ingredients, full fat count. It will taste the best with these ingredients (for a party) but you can lower the fat count if you are just making it at home for your enjoyment.

Let the ice cream and cool whip sit at room temperature for about an hour. Transfer to a large bowl and let stand until you can easily work your spoon through it.

Meanwhile, crush the Oreo cookies. If you use a food processor, do not finely chop the cookies. The dessert is best with the chunks of the cookie in it. I put mine in a gallon bag and beat it with my rolling pin. (My Granny's technique)

Add cookies to the ice cream and cool whip. Mix very thoroughly.

If you choose to put it in a pie shell, it will make 2 pies. Normally, I just put the entire mixture into a 9x13 dish. Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

You can also line the bottom of a 9x13 dish with mini ice cream sandwiches then put the mixture on top.

Changes and Upgrades

We have had a very busy 2 weeks at our house and here are a few of the projects that have been keeping us busy. We had the house painted.

Before

After

I also got a new car. I had to say goodbye to my beloved Volvo Wagon, but I must say, it was getting smaller and smaller by the day. Banks' car seat would barley fit into the back and the poor person sitting in the passenger seat might as well be in the fetal position. So.......after one phone call and one e-mail to our Fleet Manager at Novo Nordisk.....

Appears this beauty...... Oh yes, the MINI VAN! I love it and we have so much room!

Next, this is embarrassing but this has been my mailbox for not 1, not 2, but 3 and 1/2 years. No door and everything. We have been meaning to replace it but have been busy doing other stuff.

Until finally, Bryan asked my Daddy to help him build a new mailbox. My Dad, who many of you know can literally build anything, whipped this together in about 2 hours.

Bryan and my Dad had some good bonding time....

And here is the finished product. Doesn't it look better? We still have to get the numbers for the side and maybe plant some flowers around it, but I was so excited to post it. More pics to come of the completely finished product.

I also am working on a total re-haul of my screened-in room. More pics to come!

Our Weekend

We had the best time on Saturday because the Butler clan headed north for a visit! Banks had a fun time "observing" his cousins....and let me tell you..that is A LOT to take in! We played at our house for a bit before heading to the pool.

Jack, the cautious one

Georgie, our little fish

Banks, the observer

Daniel, the wild man

Banks LOVES to splash!

He spent so much time in the pool.....look at his poor feet!

Oh my goodness, at the cuteness! Banks is starting to show signs of having curly hair and I am beside myself with delight. Look at these curls after being in the pool.

Banks is 8 months old and here is his latest snapshot. Still just as blue-eyed as ever and very sweet.

Okay, so now to the crawling thing. We still do not have the crawling thing down but he has mastered rocking, and moving backwards. Sunday morning, he starts doing this...PLANKING! Lori Barber (plank enthusiast) would be SO proud! He rocks while he planks....thus the blurry pic. I mean, seriously, planking requires a lot more effort that crawling in my opinion. Hopefully soon we will have a crawling update.

And he is related to me....he loves to eat! Look how excited he gets when I am about to feed him.

Last Weekend in Jackson

Last weekend, while Banks was in Vicksburg doing this......

We went to Jackson and got to hang out with lots of our friends!

David and Celeste

We went to Nick and Kristi's wedding

Bryan and his buddies: Taylor, Al, David, and Ricky

Ricky and Brooke

Nick and Kristi

We got to see Walter and meet his new gal, Jenn.

And we did get to see Banks on Saturday for a bit. Weejie and Susan brought him over for a bit. He was so glad to get to see Aunt Brooke and Uncle Ricky!

Everyone had a great weekend. We had fun alone time and Banks got to spend some quality time with Weejie and Susan.

Bryan and his Peaches

This is pretty much what our counter top has looked like all summer. To say that Bryan loves peaches is a complete understatement. I mean, he LOVES them. I thought I enjoyed them, but compared to Bryan, I can not compete. He will eat this many peaches in a week. He loves stopping at Durbin Farms in Clanton and is always looking for a reason to head to Tallassee in the summer so we can make a stop and get some peaches. I have to admit, they have been especially good this summer. Even Banks has enjoyed a few.

Happy 2nd Anniversary to Us

Bryan and I have been married 2 years today! We really have been blessed in our marriage, especially with our son. It has been the most wonderful 2 years and it all started with a beautiful wedding on August 1, 2009. It was truly the best day of my life and I could not have asked for a more perfect wedding. I loved having all of our family and friends in one place to celebrate. My parents were so gracious to host such a great event for us and I wish I could do it again today! I love you Bryan and Happy Anniversary!

Sorry for the photo quality...my scanner is the worst!

Looking Back

As I am reminiscing about our wedding 2 years ago, I have been looking at our wedding snapshots....and look at this one I found of a pouting Georgie. I guess she was a little jealous of Bryan taking her spot as Toe Toe's #1. Poor Georgie...